cat
oof
I had similar issues with this book that I had with Stage's previous novel, “Baby Teeth”. it's basically a cycle of something weird happening, the family talking about how weird it was and what they should do, doing practically nothing, and that starting all over again. also similar to “Baby Teeth”, this wasn't that scary? sure, lots of weird stuff happens but it never gets TOO weird or TOO scary which is what I wanted, and what I expect from a horror novel. I thought the beginning was really promising because it was set up like a quintessential horror movie where the family moves to a new house in the middle of nowhere, but it really went down from there for me.
I did really connect with Rachel in the beginning as I am also a “no” person but after that.. meh. I wish this was focused more on Rachel and her self growth and friendship rather than boys and a love triangle. the things Rachel says yes to are pretty underwhelming (goes to two parties, drives a couple hours to Canada, and goes on a carnival ride) and I could have absolutely done without the love triangle and cheating aspect. as soon as both boys were introduced in the beginning, I pretty much knew exactly how the story was going to play out. not the worst thing I've ever read but just predictable and underwhelming.
this was not unenjoyable (it's only a 20 minute audiobook, so even if it was I wouldn't be too pressed) but I didn't really resonate with this or hear anything entirely new or inspirational. I think if I was maybe at a rougher point in my life where I needed something positive to inspire me I would have enjoyed this more.
3.5 stars
likes
- this topic being discussed in a YA setting
- Lex's character growth
- the strong support system around her
- the discussion of being too “broken” and the exploration of Lex's trauma & how it presents itself (feeling numb, dissociating, etc.)
dislikes
- I found the pacing to be a bit weird, going by super quickly in some parts & dragging in others.
- the use of AAVE & the n-word; I do understand the author's explanation for this but... meh
- Lex being assaulted yet again in school was not given the attention it needed. I can only imagine how traumatic that would be and it really wasn't treated as such.
dnf @ 60%. was expecting a queer story with some really great female friendship and am just NOT getting that.
- the decision one of the characters make to “save” the bookstore is... so ridiculous & unbelievable
- I found all of the characters so unlikeable. going off of me expecting some good female friendships in here, NONE of the characters even like each other so it's really hard for me to like them, feel connected, root for them, etc. also, all of the characters keep saying how the bookstore is their home & their coworkers are their family and like... where? when? y'all hate each other?
- so far there has been a very short scene where a character breaks up with her girlfriend and based on other reviews, that seems to be the only LGBT aspect of this when I was expecting a lot more
- super slow moving
just really not jiving with me, don't think this author is for me!
maybe 4.5 stars?
I really really loved this. all the characters were so vibrant and likable - I absolutely loved Collin, his mother, his grandmother, and Orenda. I loved the magical realism elements and all the messages woven throughout. I also really liked the Native American rep and all of the elements that were included from that culture! such a sweet and powerful read.
although I did like & appreciate the OCD rep, it is also the one issue I had with the book. to me, it kind of felt like the test at the end "fixed" Collin and I don't like the idea that someone with mental health issues or a disability needs to be fixed or needs to get rid of their "ailment" to be better. I felt like the rest of the book was putting forth the message that something like OCD doesn't make you less than and focused on Collin learning to love and accept his differences, and in the end it kind of felt like that growth was all for nothing.
there are also some comments made about Native Americans and people in wheelchairs that I think could make some people feel uncomfortable but to me it came across as Collin just being unknowledgeable (keep in mind he is still really young!) and not the author's thoughts/feelings on these groups of people (and the author is Native American himself). just wanted to include as a minor warning!
- too many characters & too much back and forth; I found so much of this incredibly difficult and confusing to follow
- so many plot holes?? how did the “villain” know everything they knew? who the killer was in 1995, full conversations between other people when they were not there.. etc etc. why did someone in the group originally kill in 1995 over something SO SMALL & INSIGNIFICANT? stealing answers to a test?? I also don't believe someone could assume someone's identity so well that 4 people that lived with them for over a year not realize..I get it was years earlier but still. nobody looks that similarly, not to mention voice/mannerisms/etc.
idk just super unbelievable & convoluted with plot holes galore. long fart noise
this was a quick, pretty fun read and I appreciated that it focused on a couple trying to work on their relationship & issues that come along with being in a long-term relationship. didn't really care for any of the side characters or the sex scenes, prolly won't continue in the series but still would recommend!
this has such impeccable summer vibes I'm mad I read it in April
likes:
- soft f/f romance (bi MC and queer love interest)
- wholesome m/f platonic friendship
- exploration of grief, mother/daughter relationships, feeling “broken”
dislikes:
- I'm finding this author writes very lyrically w/lots of metaphors and I'm not the biggest fan of it but that's 100% personal taste. some parts are soso beautiful to me and others are just over the top & make me cringe a bit
wow um..
- didn't care about any of the characters so I really didn't care what happened to any of them
- I feel like I didn't care b/c there was little to no characterization and I could not differentiate at all between Katie & Hana's POV's; I kept having to flip back to the chapter header in the middle of chapters
- the “secrets” that both sisters have & keep teasing almost throughout the ENTIRE BOOK are so boring. truly two of the most uninteresting plot twists I've ever read
- I don't think the feminist messages that were attempted to be woven throughout worked at all
- guessed who was involved with what happened to Eleanor about 30% of the way through the book
a very good review that expands on other various thoughts I had: x
overall, super underwhelmed & happy to be done
a solid 3.5 stars!
I really enjoyed how Maya & Jaime's friendship slowly developed into a romance. I liked both Maya and Jaime, especially the fact that Jaime was not your stereotypical uber-masculine love interest. I also liked the political & social discussions in here!
my major complaint with this was how quickly Maya seemed to completely switch her beliefs. all throughout the story, it was made known that her parents do not want her dating/kissing/canoodling with anyone & she seems to agrees with them. very quickly this goes away & she's making out with Jaime in a dressing room IDK that part just moved a lil fast for me and I wish Maya stuck to her beliefs more or it at least showed her changing her mind. I realllly did not like the arguing at the end because I felt like it could have been easily avoided, even though I understood both sides. I also thought this was a bit long for a contemporary.
TLDR - fun & cute, nice political commentary, minor issues!